Women's BMX

Women's BMX

PIERRE ANDRIEU

Key dates: Aug. 10, medal event Venue: Olympic Park Big story: Britain's Shanaze Reade looked to have the first-ever women's gold medal wrapped up in Beijing before she suffered a serious crash near the end of the race. The same thing happened recently at the world championships, making Reade seem cursed in the same way American speedskater Dan Jansen had been in many big races. Top U.S. prospects: Alise Post, 21, who was too young for the 2008 Olympics (the age minimum is 19), has suffered a broken leg and serious knee injury in the past two years, but she's healthy now and considered a dark horse medal contender. Others to watch: Magalie Pottier of France (above), a former junior world champion, won the senior world championships this year. Caroline Buchanan of Australia is also a medal contender. Little-known fact: After the test event, the first jump was made smaller after many competitors, especially women, crashed.

Key dates: Aug. 10, medal event Venue: Olympic Park Big story: Britain's Shanaze Reade looked to have the first-ever women's gold medal wrapped up in Beijing before she suffered a serious crash near the end of the race. The same thing happened recently at the world championships, making Reade seem cursed in the same way American speedskater Dan Jansen had been in many big races. Top U.S. prospects: Alise Post, 21, who was too young for the 2008 Olympics (the age minimum is 19), has suffered a broken leg and serious knee injury in the past two years, but she's healthy now and considered a dark horse medal contender. Others to watch: Magalie Pottier of France (above), a former junior world champion, won the senior world championships this year. Caroline Buchanan of Australia is also a medal contender. Little-known fact: After the test event, the first jump was made smaller after many competitors, especially women, crashed. (PIERRE ANDRIEU)

Key dates: Aug. 10, medal event Venue: Olympic Park Big story: Britain's Shanaze Reade looked to have the first-ever women's gold medal wrapped up in Beijing before she suffered a serious crash near the end of the race. The same thing happened recently at the world championships, making Reade seem cursed in the same way American speedskater Dan Jansen had been in many big races. Top U.S. prospects: Alise Post, 21, who was too young for the 2008 Olympics (the age minimum is 19), has suffered a broken leg and serious knee injury in the past two years, but she's healthy now and considered a dark horse medal contender. Others to watch: Magalie Pottier of France (above), a former junior world champion, won the senior world championships this year. Caroline Buchanan of Australia is also a medal contender. Little-known fact: After the test event, the first jump was made smaller after many competitors, especially women, crashed.